Nutrition in Toddlers
Nutrition in Toddlers
Nutrition in Toddlers
SEMINAR ON
Nutrition in Toddlers
BY
LEVEL: ND II
AUGUST, 2022
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Abstract
The establishment of eating practices that contribute to lifelong nutritional
habits and overall health begins in toddlerhood. During this time, children
acquire the motor skills needed to feed themselves and develop preferences that
affect their food selections. Classifications for faltering weight (also called
failure to thrive or growth faltering) and overweight are based on World Health
Organization child growth standards (for children younger than two years) and
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts (for children two
years and older). Breast milk or whole cow's milk should be offered as the
primary beverage between one and two years of age. Sugar-sweetened
beverages should be avoided in all toddlers, and water or milk should be offered
instead. Allergenic foods such as peanuts should be introduced early to infants
at higher risk of allergies. Vitamin D and iron supplementation may be
advisable in certain circumstances, but multivitamins and other micronutrient
supplements are usually unnecessary in healthy children who have a balanced
diet and normal growth. Optimal food choices for toddlers are fresh foods and
minimally processed foods with little or no added sugar, salt, or fat (e.g., fruits,
vegetables, lean protein, seeds, whole grains). Parents and caregivers are
responsible for modeling healthy food choices and dietary practices, which
shape children's food preferences and eating behaviors. Parents should avoid
practices that lead to overeating in toddlers (e.g., feeding to soothe or to get
children to sleep, providing excessive portions, pushing children to "clean their
plates," punishing with food, force-feeding, allowing frequent snacks or
grazing). In general, parents should use the approach of "the parent provides,
the child decides," in which the parent provides healthy food options, and the
child chooses which foods to eat and how much.
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INTRODUCTION
Your child can continue breastfeeding just as often during the second year, but
offer solid foods a few times a day. After 12 months, you can begin offering the
solids BEFORE baby nurses, if you wish, instead of after. Your milk is still an
number of times per day” that a toddler should be nursing. Some are only
nursing once or twice a day, while others continue to enjoy lots of time at their
mother’s breast. As baby slowly moves into eating more solids, your milk will
fill any nutritional gaps nicely. Once you do start to breastfeed less often,
remember that you must make a greater effort to ensure that your child eats
several meals of nutritious food each day. You’ll probably notice a sharp drop
in your toddler’s appetite after his first birthday. Suddenly he’s picky about
what he eats, turns his head away after just a few bites, or resists coming to the
table at mealtimes. It may seem as if he should be eating more now that he’s so
active, but there’s a good reason for the change. His growth rate has slowed,
Good nutrition during the first 2 years of life is vital for healthy growth and
development. Starting good nutrition practices early can help children develop
healthy dietary patterns. This website brings together existing information and
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practical strategies on feeding healthy foods and drinks to infants and toddlers,
from birth to 24 months of age. Parents and caregivers can explore these pages
to find nutrition information to help give their children a healthy start in life.
more calories and nutrients in each mouthful of food than adults. A toddler's
daily energy requirement is around three times that of an adult (95 Kcalories per
Calories
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(Energy) To consume these relatively large amounts of calories it is important
not to rely on the low-fat, high-fibre foods that are recommended for adults and
older children because toddlers’stomachs are only about one third the size of an
adult stomach (see figure 2) 1,2 . A toddler's diet should therefore include some
Nutrients
By making up meals and snacks with nutritious foods the high nutrient needs of
DRINKS
Toddlers should be offered around six to eight drinks per day from a beaker or
cup (more may be needed in very hot weather or when they are very
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Milk and water are the best drinks to give between meals and snacks as they do
not harm teeth when taken from a beaker or cup. Fruit juices should be diluted
one part juice to ten parts water and given with meals or snacks. They are acidic
and dissolve tooth enamel when given on their own. Squashes with sugar or
sweeteners are also acidic and should be well diluted. Bottles and reservoir
feeding cups should not be used because they bathe the gums and sensitive milk
teeth in acid for longer which increases the risk of dental caries and enamel
erosion. Tea and coffee reduce iron absorption and should not be given to
toddlers.
Between ages one and five, a child’s growth is in a decelerated stage; that is,
they have slowed down in growth. Since growth slows down, their need for
independence which limits the variety of foods your child is willing to eat
(“finicky eater”). Rest assured that toddlers do not need as much food as you
might expect because of this slowing down of the growth rate. Three small
meals and two snacks a day (and some will eat a good bit less) will probably be
enough to fuel even the most active toddler. Please realize, too, that finicky
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Some toddlers are eating very few solids, or even no solids, at 12 months. This
is not unusual and really depends on your child – there is quite a big variation.
We like to see breastmilk making up the majority (around 75%) of baby’s diet
at 12 months. Some babies will be taking more solids by 12 months, but others
for baby to keep breastmilk as the primary part of his diet up until 18 months or
Some children take a little longer to begin taking solids well. Some of them
have food sensitivities and this may be their body’s way of protecting them until
their digestive system can handle more. Others are late teethers or have a lot of
difficulty with teething pain. At this point there is NOTHING that your milk
lacks that your child needs, with the possible exception of enough iron. As long
as his iron levels are within acceptable levels and when he does eat you are
offering him foods naturally rich in iron, then you have plenty of time before
eats it. That has to be up to him. Trying to force, coax, or cajole your child into
eating is never recommended. Continue to nurse on demand, day and night, and
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trust your child to increase the solids when he’s ready. As baby slowly moves
into eating more solids, your milk will fill any nutritional gaps nicely.
Finger foods are always great for toddlers, and your toddler will also begin to
learn how to feed himself with a spoon and fork. Many babies prefer to eat
foods which they can pick up and feed themselves, rather than foods that must
be spooned to them. A lot of babies would rather have food right off the table
After the age of twelve months, continue to be on the lookout for any allergic
reactions to new foods and keep in mind that the choking hazard is still very
real. Supervise your toddler’s meals in case of choking, and continue to avoid
foods such as popcorn, hard candies, hot dogs, jelly beans, chunks of carrots,
grapes, raisins, and nuts. Cut or finely chop such foods, or simply wait until
Toddlers should be offered a variety of foods. They can eat the same things as
the rest of the family. Foods rich in protein, calcium, and iron, along with fruits
and vegetables, breads, etc. should be made available on a routine basis. Serve
the most healthful foods possible, but don’t expect your toddler to eat a big
meal at each sitting. Most children, when offered nutritious meals and snacks
and allowed to eat what they wish, will meet their nutritional requirements over
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several days or even a week. Don’t let your child fill up on empty-calorie
snacks, but don’t force him to eat when he doesn’t want to.
Many toddlers eat better when they have food available throughout the day,
rather than just at a few set times (see grazing). Simply offer your toddler
cheeses) and let him eat what he wants. Some parents have had good luck with
Dr. William Sears’ suggestion of a “nibble tray,” where you fill a tray (like an
ice cube tray, muffin tin, etc.) with several types of healthy foods and leave it
CHILDREN
Toddlers learn by copying other children and adults, so eating in a social group
can be an important part of learning to like new foods. Families should eat
together as often as possible and parents should eat the foods that they want
their children to eat. Toddlers may also learn to eat new foods at nursery or in
extended family groups. Not only do toddlers copy other people's eating
toddlers when they eat well will encourage them to enjoy their food. Attending
to toddlers only when they are refusing food may increase problem eating
behaviour.
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REGULAR PATTERN OF MEALS & SNACKS
Toddlers benefit from a routine of regular meals and snacks around their
daytime sleeps. Toddlers do not eat well if they are tired or over-hungry. Snacks
evenly spaced between meals will help to avoid the frustrations of being over-
hungry. Toddlers should be given both a savoury and sweet course at meals.
increases the variety of foods the toddler is eating. Puddings are a valuable part
of the meal and should not be used only as a reward for eating the savoury
course.
Toddlers have individual tastes regarding the flavour and texture of foods. Some
like their food bathed in sauces while others prefer it dry. Some like each food
kept separate from the others on the plate. Many do not like stringy meat or
foods that are difficult to chew. It is important to respect a child's tastes and,
where necessary, to offer alternative foods from the same food group. Tastes
often change overtime, so it is important to keep offering a toddler all the foods
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A wide variety of nutrients ensures the body grows, develops normally and
infections it is important to provide the full range of nutrients, which will help
• Water
• Protein
• Carbohydrates
explains the functions of these nutrients and which foods provide them. A diet
containing foods from each of the five food groups, in the correct combinations,
vitamins is recommended for children under five years to prevent rickets and
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living in the northern areas of the UK. Most vitamin drops include vitamin C
Salt intake should be kept to a minimum. Limiting sodium, which is part of salt,
will help to minimise any health problems due to salt later in life, and may help
prevent a rise in blood pressure with age5 . It is better to flavour foods with
herbs and spices than with salt. Processed foods, which are high in sodium and
salt should also be avoided and salty snacks such as crisps should be given only
occasionally. Additives and sweeteners used in food are all tested for safety.
shellfish should be well cooked as they can cause food poisoning in toddlers if
eaten raw or partially cooked. Large fish that live for many years, such as shark,
swordfish and marlin, may contain high levels of mercury and should be
avoided6 . Whole nuts should not be given to toddlers and young children under
five because of the risk of choking on them. Peanut allergy advice changed in
toddlers with allergies (including eczema and asthma) which are thought to be
due to food or other allergens, OR who also have immediate members of family
and hayfever) may be at higher risk of developing peanut allergy. Such children
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should be reviewed by their GP, health visitor or a medical allergy specialist
almonds, cashews and other tree nuts are acceptable and are a good source of
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REFERENCES
and the first five years of your child's life. London:Department of Health
Publications; 2004.
http://www.hyp.ac.uk/cash/information/salt_intake.htm
http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/agesandstages/children/yrtoddler
http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/allergyintol/peanutspregnancy
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